Today's News

INDEPENDENCE — Charges against a Grayson County husband and wife charged in connection with the shooting of a Grayson County deputy sheriff were bound over for grand jury action following their preliminary hearings in Grayson County General District Court on Sept. 17.
Deputy Doug Waller was wounded June 26 after he and Deputy Kevin Watson answered a domestic violence call at 3016 Skyline Highway, about six miles south of Galax on Virginia 89.

HILLSVILLE — An effort to criminalize using dogs to chase foxes kept in pens is one bill that animal advocates can lobby for with their state legislators, said the Virginia state director for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).
Laura Donahue recently visited Hillsville with Casey Pheiffer, senior director of wildlife policy, to talk about ways that those concerned about the rights of companion animals and wildlife could make a difference by participating in political processes.

HILLSVILLE — People from all over the region gathered at the Hillsville VFW on Saturday to celebrate the first-ever Christian Family Fun Day.
The event, sponsored by dozens of churches in the Twin Counties and beyond, kicked off with a parade at 10:30 a.m., followed by free food, games and entertainment from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
People smiled from their decorated vehicles while others followed on foot and distributed pamphlets for their respective churches along the parade route.

RICHMOND — A national insurance company mascot will beckon to visitors at the rest area on Interstate 77 in Lambsburg and other such facilities around the state, due to increasing corporate sponsorship opportunities under Gov. Bob McDonnell.
After then-Gov. Tim Kaine closed some of the state rest areas in a round of cuts during his last budget, McDonnell reversed that decision as one of his first acts when he won the state office.

HILLSVILLE –– Galax won a very tight three-team battle for the boys’ championship while Grayson County and Galax finished 1-2 in the girls’ team standings at the Maroon Tide Invitational cross country meet Wednesday at the Southwest Virginia Training Center.

More than 400 runners in three age levels turned out for the event, which saw the Maroon Tide boys claim the team win on its home course for the first time since 2001.

Galax scored on every possession Friday night with its powerful running game en route to a 48-23 non-district win over Craig County on Homecoming.

The Tide (4-1) ran only 29 offensive plays—all of which were on the ground—but managed a season high 48 points to collect their fourth straight win over Craig County (3-2) and third straight win of the season.

The Peoples brothers once again shined, as big brother Donte Peoples needed only five carries to rack up 156 yards and two touchdowns.

INDEPENDENCE –– After absorbing a thorough clubbing by Grayson County last year, Clintwood went on to win 13 straight games, including a state championship. Grayson County incurred an equally-complete beatdown in Clintwood a week ago. Nobody is saying the Blue Devils will bounce back with 13 wins in a row, but they are off to a good start.

Grayson was nearly unstoppable on offense Friday night and concluded the nondistrict portion of its schedule with a 45-20 trouncing of Carroll County at Bill Strong Field.